Chapter 49

"Alright."

After returning to the yamen, Qin Ke was about to bathe when Cheng Hao came to see him again.

"This subordinate greets Your Highness." He hurriedly bowed, his upright face seeming somewhat troubled.

Because of Rong Xi, Qin Ke had a favorable impression of him and asked gently, "What do you need me for?"

"Your Highness may not know," Cheng Hao said with a heavy sigh, "this subordinate admires Young Master Rong's skill. I had wished to befriend him and invite him to Shengjing, but only learned today that he is Minister Rong's son."

Qin Ke's lips curved faintly. "So?"

Cheng Hao found Prince Qin increasingly gentle and thus gathered his courage. "This subordinate believes that a genius should not be buried. Though Young Master Rong is not skilled in book learning, he possesses extraordinary talent in the craft of making things. Mengshan County is remote; I fear such a pearl will be left to gather dust!"

He looked utterly heartbroken, as though he were more like Rong Xi's father than Minister Rong himself.

Thinking of Rong Xi's suggestion, Qin Ke pondered aloud, "What do you intend to do?"

"This subordinate believes that, with Young Master Rong's talent, he could serve as a Principal in the Directorate of Weights and Measures." Cheng Hao truly dared to say it.

Great Wei selected officials through the imperial examinations, but recommendations were not excluded. Although Rong Xi possessed no scholarly degree, if Qin Ke and several members of the Ministry of Works jointly recommended him, he could still be appointed to an office.

"What if he is unwilling?" Thinking of Rong Xi's handwriting, Qin Ke concluded that he was no ignorant wastrel. "Vice Minister Cheng, you may ask him yourself and see whether he is willing."

He respected Rong Xi's choice.

Cheng Hao froze briefly before recovering. "This subordinate understands."

Having said so, he left.

Qin Ke watched his retreating figure. Cheng Hao was an avid enthusiast of crafting; perhaps Rong Dalang's ideas could win his support.

The next day, Cheng Hao indeed went to find Rong Xi.

At the sight of the young man's handsome brows and starry eyes, his jade-like face, refined speech, and lofty temperament, he immediately took a liking to him.

Minister Rong was truly blind with age, to send such an exceptional young gentleman away to a remote ancestral residence.

His gaze was kindly, his expression inexplicable, and Rong Xi suddenly felt a chill run down his back.

"This boy greets Vice Minister Cheng." He was about to bow when Cheng Hao stopped him with a token supporting gesture.

Cheng Hao grinned, his short beard trembling as his eyes narrowed into slits. "No need for such ceremony, young gentleman. I came to ask you something. Would you be willing to take up a post at the Ministry of Works?"

Upon hearing this, Rong Xi was shocked and somewhat helpless. "This boy is grateful for Vice Minister Cheng's favor, but I have no intention of returning to the capital for the time being."

Much less of taking a post at the Ministry of Works.

He only wished to conduct his research in peace and had no desire to become entangled in

officialdom

strife.

Seeing that his resolve was firm, Cheng Hao had no choice but to give up and say no more.

What a terrible pity!

The date of their return to the capital had already been set. The day before departure, Cheng Hao finally succeeded in making flawless Glass by his own efforts. He was so excited that he drank several cups of clear wine with dinner and became utterly insensible from drunkenness.

When he awoke, he discovered that he was already inside a carriage. It swayed along the road toward Shengjing.

The Ministry of Works officials all knew his temperament. Once he became absorbed in crafting, he disregarded his status as a court official and acted recklessly.

After hurrying back to the capital, Qin Ke and Cheng Hao entered the palace together to report on their duties.

Qin Ke gave an even-toned account of their journey to Mengshan County, and the young emperor listened until he was nearly drowsy.

"Vice Minister Cheng is more proficient in this field. It would be better for Vice Minister Cheng to explain the crafting matters to Your Majesty in detail."

Cheng Hao had long been unable to restrain himself. Once Qin Ke called on him and the emperor granted permission, he launched into an impassioned account, making the matter of crafting sound fascinating and vivid.

The emperor grew engrossed, leaning slightly forward with bright eyes.

"Minister Cheng's skill is indeed exceptional. You have already managed to make Glass." He laughed and praised him before asking, "The people of Mengshan County have already enjoyed the benefits of Glass. When may this palace of mine be fitted with it?"

Cheng Hao understood his meaning and immediately answered, "This servant has mastered the method of making Glass. Once the craftsmen are assembled, Glass may be produced in large quantities."

"I shall await your news."

The young emperor discussed matters with them for a long while, yet he had not forgotten about rewards.

"The craftsmanship of Mengshan County's artisans will benefit future generations. I wish to reward them. At tomorrow's court discussion, I shall ask my ministers for their views."

Qin Ke's eyes shifted slightly. His Majesty's action was intended both as a reward and as a test of the court officials' attitudes.

Merchants and craftsmen ranked among the lower professions; lavish rewards for them might provoke controversy.

Previously, when His Majesty had sent him and several Ministry of Works officials to Mengshan County, some pedantic ministers had already voiced considerable objections.

As ruler of a nation, rather than valuing literary governance, he had sent men to study craftsmen's techniques. It was truly an insult to refined culture.

After a moment, the emperor ordered Cheng Hao to leave the palace first and kept Qin Ke behind.

"Just now, you signaled to me with your eyes. Did you have something to say?" the young emperor asked with a smile.

The two shared a close bond and had long formed an unspoken understanding. Qin Ke's expression had not escaped his notice, hence the question.

Qin Ke nodded and drew a telescope from his robes. "This was also made by Rong Dalang. It is called a telescope and can make distant objects appear clear."

The emperor had also been to war. Hearing this, he was immediately overjoyed. He took it from Qin Ke's hand and raised it before his eyes.

Outside the hall doors stood white jade steps carved with dragons and phoenixes, wreathed in auspicious clouds. With his naked eyes alone, the emperor could not see the fine patterns clearly.

Yet through the telescope, the dragons' whiskers seemed lifelike, the phoenix tails exquisitely unparalleled; every last detail appeared within the lens.

He looked for a long time before reluctantly lowering it. With a deep sigh, he said, "How does Rong Dalang possess so many ingenious ideas? If this were used on the battlefield, it would surely catch the enemy off guard."

As he spoke, he laughed aloud again. "I rather regret listening to you and not summoning him back to Shengjing."

"Your Majesty, if he truly returned to the capital, he would surely be plagued by petty men and have no time to devote himself to his craft. Would that not be a pity?" Qin Ke showed no mercy, directly pointing out the rampant petty men of Rong Estate.

As for who those petty men were, both of them knew perfectly well.

He then took out a stack of papers. "These are Rong Dalang's cooking methods. Your Majesty may give them to the imperial chefs."

All the iron cauldrons in the palace had been replaced with Thin Cauldrons. The emperor had long been thinking of the delicacies at Rong Residence, and now that he had obtained these fine cooking methods, he was overjoyed.

"Rong Dalang truly pleases me!"

By the time it was the Hour of the Monkey, the emperor kept Qin Ke in the palace to dine with him. Though royal delicacies lay before him, Qin Ke felt no stir in his heart.

He had grown accustomed to food prepared by Rong Dalang. The dishes before him truly tasted like wax.

After eating, Qin Ke was about to leave the palace and return to his residence when he saw the emperor feign displeasure.

"Qin Sizhi, have you forgotten something?"